Cord blood collection and third stage placental delivery

[janinlondon]

Can anyone tell me whether cord blood collection is possible in conjunction with the injection to speed up the third stage placental delivery? My reading suggests not, but my sister's obstetrician says it is. Need reassurance please? Any midwives?

That's a good question..... I agree with what you read so be keen to hear why your OB says it's fine !

I had to have cord blood collection with all three children to see if they were CF carriers. I also had the injection each time so maybe it has something to do with why you need the cord blood.

janinlondon - you do need the injection when cord blood is obtained for stem cell collection because the cord needs to be clamped at delivery.
However, if it is just for cord blood to check Rhesus status there is no need. Really the injection is needed whenever there has been intervention in labour such as syntocinon/painkillers/epidural or when the cord had had to be clamped for any reason.
I have done many physiological third stages with Rh negative women and have been able to get blood from the cord after delivery.
Why do you aks?

Are we talking about the same injection here? Syntometrine? Now I'm really confused! I thought it was an "optional extra" that wouldn't be possible with cord blood collection, not a necessity??

Yes I am talking about syntometrine. There is another injection that can be given and it is called syntocinon. A lot of places give that now because it has less side effects such as vomiting. What type of cord blood collection are you meaning janinlondon?

Thanks Mears. It is collection for stem cell banking and will be carried out in Australia, not here in the UK. I just had the impression that the cord blood had to be collected before the placenta was delivered, and that to speed up placental delivery would be a problem. Just wanted assurance that it wouldn't be!

No it won't be a problem. The cord is clamped at stem cell collection and although the third stage is sped up by the injection, it also causes a surge in blood flow through the cord. The stem cell kit has a needle that is inserted in the cord to collect the blood.

Ahh...Mears. Font of all knowledge. Thank you so much!

Thanks Mears - learned a lot !